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GUSTAV BLUM AND E. FERN HAGUE 

OF PUBLIC SCHOOL 79, NEW YORK CITY 



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% (HIS QUEST FOR SUCCESS) 



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EVERYGRADUATE 

(HIS QUEST FOR SUCCESS) 



AN ALLEGORICAL PLAYLET FOR GRADUATING 
CLASSES 

flu XTbree Bets 

BY 

GUSTAV BLUM AND E. FERN HAGUE 

OF PUBLIC SCHOOL 79, NEW YORK CITY 



Copyright, 191 i, by Samuel French 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30 WEST 38TH STREET 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street, 

STRAND 



EVERYGRADUATE. 

CHARACTERS. 

EvERYGRADUATE— New graduation suit, long trousers, 

etc. 
Everybody — Long cloak with hood attached 
Ambition— (A girl) blue cloak, dress, etc. 
Folly— (A girl) girl's gaudy red dress 
Everymother — House dress, apron, etc. 
EvERYFATHER— Smoking jacket and slippers, etc. 
Industry— (Work) gray cloak with silver shining 

bright under costume 
Perseverance— Costume of athlete, cloak to cover 
Truth— (A girl) girl's white dress, bright cloak 
Kindness— (A girl) girl's dress, modest 
Temptation — Bright red scheme 
Conscience— (A nurse) typical nurse costume 
Fear — Gray scheme 
Fame — Bright costume r ] 
Conceit— Gaudy, stiff apparel 
Success— (A girl) beautiful dress, beautiful girl 

(The positive Virtues wear bright colors underneath 
and reversible cloaks— gray outside— the negative 
Virtues the opposite.) 



TMP92-008671 



gClD 25909 

V'V f) , 1 



EVERYGRADUATE 

(HIS QUEST FOri SUCCESS) 

ACT I. 

Scene — The home. A modest cosy interior — the sittijig- 
roo?n. Before rise — ENTER in front of curtain 
Everybody. 

EvERYHODY. Good day, kind people. 'Tis well 
that you and I are here, for now the wheel of time has 
turned another cog and Everygraduate is happy. And 
so are you and so is Everybody. But truly, now the 
task is first begun and this is but beginning's end. 
Let us stay awhile and view what Everygraduate must 
betide.- -Life's old, old struggle, (a thorny path through 
rosy bowers), is now inviting, and who must finally re- 
joice when Success, Everygraduate wins and who shall 
all the while frustrate the winning? Everybody. 

(EXIT behind curtain.) 

( Curtain rises. Everymother discovered serving buttons 

on Ever ygr ADIT ate 's ne7c> shirt, cleani?i^ his suit, 

etc. — at table R. Everyfather sitting in rocker i,. 

smoking or reading neivspaper.') 

Everymother. Everyfather, the day has come at 

last. To-morrow our dear boy, Everygraduate, leaves 

school. He is finished. But you do not seem very 

happy about it. 

Everyfather. Dear Everymother — I am happv 
3 



4, EVERYGRADUATE. 

but Everyfather seldom shows how he feels. You 
knowl am happy. But when you think all iS over, 
you are mistaken, you know he has only begun. This 
is the time Everygraduate thinks he knows all there is 
to know, that life and his battles are fully understood 
by him and only by him. But dear Everymother, you 
know this is far from true. 

Everymother. Well, what shall we do now ? Send 
him to business or let him continue his studies ? 

Everyfather. The times have changed. If I am 
to decide, 1 say " Let him become either a business 
man or an engineer " — The professions are over- 
crowded and the arts barely bring enough to live on. 

Everymother. Then what do you think is best, 
Everyfather ? 

Everyfather. I think — we had better leave it to 
him. Let him decide. 

Everymother. With our/help and guidance. 

Everyfather. Yes, Everymother, with our help 
and guidance, for he may be too young to know his 
own mind. 

Everymother. Here he comes, let us ask him. 

(ENTER Everygraduate skippi7ig mid smiling together 
7vith Conceit, Folly, and Temptation.) 

Everygraduate. Ah, good afternoon dear Every- 
mother and dear Everyfather. All is arranged. We 
know our positions and our songs and all is ready. Is 
my suit in good order ? How funny it will feel in long 
trousers. I believe I shall stumble and fall right in 
the middle of the room when I am called upon to re- 
ceive my diploma. 

Everyfather. O, you'll get used to them. I did. 

Everymother. Ah, I w^as beginning to worry about 
you. 

Everygraduate. Just like you, dear Everymother. 

Everyfather. I wasn't. 



EVERYGRADUATE. 5 

EvERYGRADUATE {Smi/ifi^/v) And like you too, 
Everyfather. Ah, but I almost forgot. These are 
^ny friends — Conceit, Temptation and Folly. 1 want 
you to meet them. 

EvERYMOTHKR. Pleased to meet you, friends of 
Everygraduate. 

Everyfather {Ciu-tly) How do you do. 

Everygraduate. B'olly has been my classmate right 
through school. He doesn't study much, but has lots 
of fun. Although he seems to be continually gttting 
into trouble, Conceit is a new member of our class. 
He entered the class in time to graduate with us. 
{aside to Everymother and Everyfather) You'll find 
him a little stiff, but that's his way. And Tempta- 
tion, my ! what a persistent fellow. 

Everyfather. Well, Everygraduate, come here. 
1 want to talk to you for a few minutes. 

Folly. O, let's take a walk or go skating — it's fine 
outside. 

Conceit. Walk ? Skating ? Pooh ! How^ undig- 
nified for Everygraduate. 

Temptaiion. Yes do come, the air is bracing — 
and there are pretty girls in the park, — Ambition and 
Success. 

Evervmother. Ambition and Success. You must 
be mistaken. I just saw them in the factory next door 
and later on the bridge. 

Everyfather {Afii^n/y) But when I ask Every- 
graduate to listen, there is only one thing for him to 
do. 

Everygraduate. Yes— to obey. 

Everyfather. The time has come when you must 
help us decide. We want to help you, not stand in 
your way. 

Everygraduate. Yes, dear Everyfather. What is 
it? 

(ENTER Conscience, a nurse). 



EVERYGRADUATE. 

EvERYFATHER. We want to know what you should 
like to be later in life. 

EvERYMOTHER. We feel that if you choose tor your- 
self, you will then win Success. We have noticed 
your fondness for her already. 

EvERYGRADUATE. It is true, dear Everymother, I 
do love her — dear, sweet. Success. 

Conscience. But Ambition is always with her. 
You can win Success only through Ambition. 

Conceit. But is it worth while ? 

Folly. 1 had rather live — live — and be merry ! 

Temptation. Yes — why worry — it doesn't pay. 
You know how 1 hate Ambition and her friend In- 
dustry, that crabbed old fellow. 

Everyfather. Now I must ask you all to kindly 
desist and not interfere. This is a family matter, for 
us to decide. Everygraduate, you must choose now. 
It is not well that you do what your heart is not in, do 
choose wisely and deliberately. 

Everymother. Yes— which shall it be — Business, 
Alt or Science? 

Everygraduate. I do not know — I cannot tell 
yet — let me wait awhile to think it over. 

Folly. Yes, let us play awhile. 

Temptation. There is plenty of time to decide. 
Why not wait ? 

Conceit. Yes, it is not so very important a matter. 

Conscience. But it is, Everygraduate, too impor- 
tant. 

Everymother and Everyfather. Yes, Everygrad- 
uate — listen to Conscience, she is always right. 



CURTAIN. 



EVERYGRADUATE. 



ACT II. 



Scene — The Assembly Room in School. 

(ENTER before curtain, Everybody.) 



Everybody. Ah, clear friends, you ure still here 
and wait our stoiy's progress. 'Tis commonplace you 
say and tells you naught that's new. Quite true. 
But who is really interested in the welfare of Every- 
graduate. And who is concerned, even though in- 
directly? Everybody. (EXIT Everybody.) 

(ENTER R. Everygraduate — dressed for g?'aduation 
exercises together with P'kar, Folly, Conceit atid 
Kindness, meeting P'ame and Ambition 7i<ho are 
just entering L.) 

Conceit. {Admiritigly) Ah, there is Fame. Oh 
yes, to be sure. We might expect Ambition tripping 
on his heels. She just dotes on him. It is either she 
or Success. Art thou known to him, Everygraduate? 

Everygraduate. {Rapturously) To Fame ? No, 
I have never been introduced. 

Conceit. (^Pompously) Oh, I know himwell. That 
is — I knew him well, he may not remember me though. 
Shall I introduce thee ? 

Everygraduate. Yes, I really do want to meet 
him. I've been wanting to, a long time. 

Fear. No — not now. I'd rather not. 

Everygraduate. What is there to be afraid of, 
simpleton ? 

Folly. Nothing. Kut what's the use. He is not 
always in good humor. Let us go to the play-room. 

Everygraduate. No, I want to meet Fame. 

Kindness. I know Ambition — not as Everybody 
knows her, — but as the sweet and faithful maiden, she 



8 EVERYGRADUATE. 

is. I shall ask her to introduce thee. {Just then — 
Fame who has l)een talking quietly to Ambition^ takes 
his leave.) 

Fame. Well, au revoir, Ambition. I do not say 
adieu — 1 shall see thee oftener, now, I trust. I'hou 
mayst expect Success too. We shall both call upon 
tliee when thou art prepared to receive our visit. 

Ambition. You are ever welcome. 

Fame. Thanks, Ambition. I must hurry now, 
Success who is waiting outside. 

Ambition. Thou art always with her. 

Fame. Not always, but as often as I can. Though 
she is always with me. So long. 

Ambition. So long ! 

Everygraduate. You see, Fame is gone and I shall 
never meet him. 

Kindness. O yes, thou shalt. There will be 
plenty of opportunities if thou really seekest them. 

Conceit. I had many an opportunity. 

Fear. I don't w-ant to meet- him. 

Folly. Nor, I, he is too worrisome. 

Ambition. " Ah, good day, friends. 

Conceit. Friends, indeed ! Since wiien dost thou 
take such liberties ? 

Fear. Don't quarrel, I pray you. 
. Kindness. He doesn't mean all he says. Ambition, 
do not judge him harshly. Have pity on his weak- 
ness. 

Conceit. Pity is it .'^ 

F'ear. Ah, do not quarrel. 

Ambition, Conceit, I do not know thee well — nor 
have Fany such desire. I addressed my welcome to 
Everygraduate. 

Everygraduate. Yes, Conceit, thou must not be 
so rude. I have only met Ambition lately, but I like 
her very much. 

Kindness. And it is well thou dost, Everygraduate 

Everygraduate. Yes, thou seest I cannot say I 






EVERYGKADUATE. 9 

love her, nor does she expect me to — dost thou, 
Ambition ? 

A.MBiTiON. No — but thou dost like me ? Thou 
wilt be my friend ? 

EvERYGRADUATE. Yes, I hereby pledge myself so. 

Folly. Then thou must choose between us. 

P^VERYGRADUATE. Ah, uot yet, Folly. Let us talk 
it over. — Can't 1 reconcile you two? 

Folly. No, never. 

Ambition. I think not. 

Conceit. 1 believe 1 could, if T cared to — but I 
don't. 

Everygraduate. Ikit, dear Ambition, thou saidst 
thou wouldst introduce me to Success and perhaps to 
Fame, if the opportunity presented itself. When ? 

Ambition. It all depends. Thou must decide 
that. But I expect some friends of yours, they know 
Success as well as I do perhaps better. They can 
help thee plead thy cause. 

Evkrygraduate. Ah, I do love her. It means 
happiness — not only for me Everygraduate but for 
Everymother and Everyfather too, bless them. But 
who are these friends ? 

Ambition. Truth, Perserverance and Industry. 

Everygraduate. Really ? 

Folly. Ha, ha ! A plague upon them. Long 
noses all. Industry indeed — since when calls he him- 
self so — Work when I knew him— He of the gray 
cloak and drab complexion. 

Conceit. Yes, Folly, it is they or we. Everygrad- 
uate must choose between us. 

Fear. Yes, they were never friendly to me. But 
I fear to lose Everygraduate, 

(ENTER Temptation) 

Everygraduate. Ah, just in time. Temptation. 
Thou Shalt say. Here is Conceit, Folly and Fear, they 
are thy friends and mine. But nov/ there is trouble. 



10 EVERYGRADUATF. 

I love you all. I have known you so long, but 1 love 
Ambition too. 'Tis true 1 do not know them as lon<; 
or as well as 1 do you, Folly and Fear. Y^u have 
been my companions through school — but now I am 
growing, 1 shall soon be a man — full grown and must 
think of the future. Ambition has promised to in- 
troduce me to Success — 1 love her. But Folly says, 
No, 1 must decide between her and the others. 

Temptation. 1 think Folly is right. 

Folly. SEE ? 

Fear. Yes, so do I. 

Conceit. I always knew it. 

EvERYGRADUATE. Can't I be friends with all ? 

Kindness. No, Everygraduate, not very well. 
Truth told me that the other day. 

(ENTER Conscience) 

Temptation. 'J'ruth 1 What does she know ? Every- 
graduate — give up the others. We shall stick together. 
Come stay with us and give up the rest — even Success. 

Everygraduate. What, even Success? 

Kindness. How unkind. Temptation ! 

Everygraduate. Give up Success — whom I love ? 

Temptation. But she will only be a worry to thee, 
shouldst thou win her — and that is not certain, thy 
mind will never be at rest. Thou wilt always want 
more and wilt struggle — struggle, forever. 

Folly. But with us thou canst make merry. What 
can thy crabbed friends offer ? What pleasures, what 
amusements ? 

Conscience. Happiness — real, true happiness. 
What thou offerest is not happiness — it is regret and 
pain and appears to be what it isn't. Thou must 
pardon me, Everygraduate, for so boldly and rudely 
interrupting, but I felt I had to help thee. Every, 
mother expects thee early to-day. 

Everygraduate. Thanks, Conscience, thou always 
dost break in, but I knowest thou meanest well and 



EVERYC;iiADUATE. H 

for my good. Thanks, I shall see Eveiymother pres- 
ently. Is Everyfather home too? 

Conscience. Yes. (EXIT) 

(ENTER Truth, Perseverance, Industry.) 

Truth. Ah, here thou art, Everygraduate, I've 
been seeking thee everywhere. 

Everygraduate. But 1 knew thou wert near. I 
somehow felt thy presence — especially when Conscience 
entered. 

Truth. Ah, here are two more friends of thine. 
Perseverance and Industry. 

Everygraduate. Ah Perseverance, how art thou? 
How fresh and untiring thou lockest. 

Perseverance. Yes, Everygraduate, I keep my 
goal always in view and so forget to get tired. 

Everygraduate. Ah, and good old Industry. 
Thou still wearest thy gray cloak. 

Industry. Yes, I am too busy to have my atten- 
tion detracted by a brighter color. 

Foi.LY. Industry, forsooth. My I what well sound- 
ing names we choose. Time was when Work was 
considered a worthy appellation. Industrv, forsooth ! 
Ha, Ha! {They laui^h) 

Truth. And a worthy name it is. liut pray what 
matters the name ? 

Conceit. Folly, come let us go. 

Fear. Yes, you may quarrel. 

Temptation. Come with us, Everygraduate, we 
like not thy new companions. 

Truth. Thou givest expression to our feelings. 

Temptation. Well, what say'st tiiou, Every- 
graduate ? Art thou coming? 

Everygraduate. I shall be late for supper. 

Temptation. Do come — there is plenty of time. 

Perseverance. Everygraduate do not go 1 

Temptation. Come ! 

Perseverance. NO ! 



12 EVERYGRTDUATE. 

Truth. Ah, Perseverance, in thee that rascal has 
met his equah 

Perseverance. Yes, thou sayest well. 1 shfill stay 
as long" as he. 

Folly. Well, Everygraduate, which shall it be ? 
Dost thou shirk us for crabbed Work ? Look, how 
gray and worn he looks. Look at us, smiling, happy. 
Which shall it be ? 

Work. But am I not truly happy ? Everygraduate, 
forsake thy evil companions and come with us. We 
shall reveal to thee true happiness and Ambition shall 
bring Success to thee. 

Everygraduate. Ah, Success. 

Temptation. But, the worry and the heartache ? 

Perseverance. But the happiness. 

Kindness. Yes, Everygraduate, thy dear parents, 
Everymother and Every father. ]t is to them thou 
owest the right. 

Conceit. What sayst thou ? What dost thou 
know? Is he not a graduate ? Know thou what that 
signifies. He is a man full grown, ready to fight life's 
battles. Owe — sayst thou ? He owes nothing. Did 
he make contract with his parents ? Forsooth 1 

Kindness. Shame ! 

Fear. They will quarrel. 

Truth. Conceit, I held my tongue because I did 
not consider thy idle prattle of any account. But when 
thou speakest falsely, I tell thee — 

Conceit. Nay, I will not hear. Come, friends. 

Truth. Ah, thou wilt not hear truth. 

Everygraduate. Friends, friends, dear friends, I 
do beseech thee. I love you all. I am sorry you ask 
me to choose between you. I would fain have all. 
But since you make it hard for me ! — O do not know 
— I do so love Folly — But Success — she only will make 
me happy. O, if someone would only help me. 

Truth. Thou must choose for thyself. No one 
can help thee. 



EVERYGRADUATE. 13 

All. Yes, Everygraduate must choose for himself. 
Truth. Yes, the time has come to Everygraduate 
when he must decide. Speak quickly. 

(ENTER Conscience.) 

Conscience. So thou art still here. I've looked 
everywhere for thee. 'J'hy mother is worried. 

Everygraduate. Ah, Conscience, dear nurse. 
Just in the nick of time. Look here are my friends, 
in factions.^ They have grown up with me and now 
would make me unhappy. 

Conscience. Unhappy? How? 

EvERVCRADUATE. They will not all be friends and 
I must choose between them. 

All. Yes. He must decide now. 

Conscience. I know them well, Everygraduate. 
But despair not. 1 shall help thee. 

Everygraduate. Ah, dear Conscience I knew thou 
wouldst show me the way. 

Conscience. Let me tell thee this. Thou wilt 
never lose the friendship of these altogether. {Point- 
ing to Conceit, Folly, etc.) They will meet thee 
every now and then. So do not worry. Besides the 
loss of their friendship will not hurt thee any. 

Truth <7;/^/ Perseverance. Ah, see! 

Conscience. And look the others, they are no 
longer gray and cold ? See thou didst not understand. 
Look, how bright is the lining of Industry's cloak and 
Truth and Kindness— how brightly she smiles, and the 
others — look now ! 

{During the above — '1'ruth and the others have thrown 
open their cloaks revealing beautiful bright costumes 
beneath — the others cover themselves with gray and 
black cloaks ready to depart. They stand huddled 
together.) 

Everygraduate. Well done— Conscience. Thou 



14 EVERYORADUATR. 

hast shown me the way. 1 choose Truth, Persever- 
ance, Industry and Kindness. They and Ambition 
shall help me win Success. • 

PICTURE. 

(EXEUNT EvERYGRADUATE witJi CONSCIENCE as falls 
the CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 

Scene — Satne as Scene \\~ Lighted lamps on table. 
EvERYMOTHER Discoveved knitting. Everyfather 
icriting — (ENTER Everybody before cur-tain — 
{see pinned paper) ENTER Conscience,) 

Everybody. Greetings, once again kind friends. 
Nojv have we intressed the distress and triumph of 
Everygraduate. The great question that comes into 
the life of Everygraduate has been answered. And 
who hoped for a happy answer? EVERYBODY. 

EvERYMOTHER. Well, Conscieucc, where have you 
left him ? 

Everyfather. Don't worry, Everymother. He is 
a big boy and can take care of himself. 

EvERYMOTHER. 1 Can't help it, Everyfather. 

Conscience. He is with his friends. They are 
divided in factions and he is asked to choose between 
them. Here he is now. (ENTER Everygraduate.) 

EvERYMOTHER. Ah, Evcrygraduatc, I had begun to 
worry about you. What kept you so long ? 

Everyfather. Playing as usual, I suppose. 
Nothing to get uneasy about. 

Everygraduate. Everymother, I've made up my 
mind. 



EVERYGRADUATE. 15 

EvERYFATHER. GoocI, wliat shall it be ? AN 
Engineer ? 

EvERYGRADUATE. NO ! 

EvERYMOTHER. What then, an artist? 

EvERYGRADUATE. No ! 

EvERYFATHER. Well, I never was good at guessing. 
What? 

EvERYGRADUATE. I knovv and I don't. 

EvERYMOTHER ^//^/EvERYFATHER. {Together) Why 
what do you mean ? 

EvERYGRADUATE. 1 mean I do not know just what 
particular kind of work I shall do in the world, but 
I've learned it doesn't matter. But whatever J do, I 
shall do well ! 

EvERYFATHER. But 

EvERYGRADUATE. It is alright, Everyfather. I've 
given up some of my old friends haven't I, Conscience ? 

Conscience. Yes. 

EvERYCiRADUATE. I know now, they can do me 
little good — Folly, P^ar, Conceit, Temptation and the 
rest. But I have dearer friends now. Kindness, 
Perseverance, Truth and Work. They shall help me. 
They promised to introduce me to Success, and per- 
haps Fame. To meet and win Success, Everyfather 
and Everymother, shall make me happy. 1 want her 
Everymother, and when I am happy, you will share 
my happiness with me. 

Everymother. Ah, my own dear boy. 

EvERYGRADUATE. Ycs — I feel it doesu't matter just 
what I become or do — if I but do that well and I shall 
do all well to win Success. 

Conscience. I taught him that. 



CURTAIN. 



DJ:G 1 1911 

16 EVERYGRADUATE. 

EPILOGUE. 

(ENTER Everybody before curtain as before.) 
Everybody. Ah, Everybody is still here and re- 
joices with Everygraduate. Everybody has listened 
and Everybody is happy. When Everygraduate wins 
Success, he shall take her to his heart. Who shall 
rejoice ? Well, who really loves Success ? — Every- 
body. (EXIT) 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

016 102 417 A 



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